Patterns and processes of primary productivity and trace gas dynamics in subpolar and polar oceans

海洋初级生产力（二氧化碳向碳水化合物的光合作用转化）提供了支持绝大多数海洋生态系统所需的能量和碳，并通过吸收和排放影响地球热量收支的微量气体，包括二氧化碳、甲烷（CH4）、一氧化二氮（N2O）和二甲基硫化物（DMS），在调节地球气候方面发挥直接作用。极地和亚极地海水对海洋初级生产力的贡献不成比例，并受到全球气候变化的最大影响。本研究计划的长期目标是了解极地和亚极地地区海洋初级生产力和气候活跃气体循环的调节因素。为了实现这一目标，本研究计划的短期目标是：1)部署自主船载仪器，检查亚北极太平洋和北冰洋初级生产力和微量气体浓度的可变性，并检查驱动这种可变性的潜在过程；2)利用野外观测和实验室实验研究环境对光合过程不同方面的控制，包括光吸收、光合电子传递、析氧和碳固定；3)开发海洋初级生产力和微量气体排放的统计算法和改进的数值模型。这项研究将通过在研究船上和沿海海洋站进行控制实验室实验和海洋学采样来完成。基于我们最近在开发自动化船载传感器方面的进展，我们将部署广泛的仪器来测量海洋表面光学特性，溶解气体浓度和其他海洋变量，在一定的空间和时间尺度上，并响应实验操作。这项工作的结果将用于训练机器学习算法和开发改进的海洋生物地球化学模型。预期的影响包括加强对海洋生产力和气候活性气体排放的时空变异性的理解，以及对控制这种变异性的环境和生理因素的新见解。这些信息将反过来支持改进数值模式的发展，预测海洋生态和生物地球化学对未来气候变暖的反应。该研究计划将在一个支持性和包容性的环境中培训HQP，为他们提供先进的技术技能、沟通和推广工具，以调动知识和支持加拿大海洋经济的可持续发展。

Marine primary productivity (the photosynthetic conversion of CO2 to carbohydrates) provides the energy and carbon needed to support the vast majority of ocean ecosystems, and plays a direct role in regulating Earth's climate through the uptake and emission of trace gases, including CO2, methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and dimethylsulfide (DMS), which influence the planet's heat budget. Polar and sub-polar marine waters contribute disproportionately to ocean primary productivity, and are experiencing the greatest impacts of global climate change. The long-term objective of this research program is to understand the factors regulating marine primary productivity and climate-active gas cycling in polar and sub-polar regions. To inform this goal, the short-term objectives of this research program are to: 1) deploy autonomous ship-based instruments to examine variability in primary productivity, and trace gas concentrations in the Subarctic Pacific and Arctic Oceans, and examine the underlying processes driving this variability; 2) use field observations and laboratory experiments to examine environmental controls on different aspects of the photosynthetic process, including light absorption, photosynthetic electron transport, oxygen evolution, and carbon fixation; and 3) develop statistical algorithms and improved numerical models of ocean primary productivity and trace gas emissions. The research will be accomplished using controlled laboratory experiments and oceanographic sampling on board research vessels and at coastal marine stations. Building on our recent progress developing automated ship-board sensors, we will deploy a wide range of instrumentation to measure surface ocean optical properties, dissolved gas concentrations and other oceanographic variables over a range of space and time-scales, and in response to experimental manipulations. Results from this work will be used to train machine learning algorithms and develop improved ocean biogeochemical models. Anticipated impacts include enhanced understanding of the space and time variability of marine productivity and climate-active gas emissions, and new insight into the environmental and physiological factors controlling this variability. This information will, in turn, support the development of improved numerical models predicting marine ecological and biogeochemical responses to future climate warming. The research program will train HQP in a supportive and inclusive environment, providing them with advanced technical skills, and communication and outreach tools to mobilize knowledge and support the sustainable development of Canada's ocean economy.